Browse Forums DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair 1 Apr 07, 2014 11:30 am Hi There, All of a sudden I seem to have an infestation of drain flies, I am certain they are not fruit flies as I've tried throwing away all fruit and cleaning the place but they still come back and from my research they look more like drain flies. My drains are pretty free flowing, but I've used drain cleaner a few times (both the chemical and enzyme ones) I've set off bug bombs, which seemed to kill them all, but they were back a few days later. It doesn't seem to matter how much I clean the place, they won't go away. So, my questions are; 1. Does anyone know how I can get rid of these things permanently? and 2. As I live in a small apartment block, what, if any, responsibility does strata have in getting rid of them (I've not asked my neighbours if they have similar issues). Thanx in Advance. Re: Drain Flies. 2Apr 07, 2014 12:55 pm Usually they are a result of an open sewer somewhere and sometimes this is a result of the water in the gully trap being too low to prevent a complete seal - see here... http://www.draindomain.com/drainage%20gullies.html In your unit, do your internal floor wastes have water in them - laundry, bathroom etc ? I've stayed in a few hotel/motel rooms and friends spare bedrooms with attached ensuites over the years that have been empty for a while and the floor wastes dry out relatively quickly in summer leading to a "sewer" smell. A broken gully trap outside ( usually on a side path close to the building ) would have the same effect. Stewie Re: Drain Flies. 3Apr 07, 2014 5:47 pm Thanx Stewie. There is water in the drain below my shower, the only other floor waste I have is largely blocked with concrete (from a reno by previous owner) but there doesn't seem to be any unusual smells. The gully trap is outside my kitchen window, as near as I can tell it is fine there is water in it etc. My GF's dad used to be a plumber and he seems to think there is nothing wrong with it. My apartment is the ground floor at the front, it is only a small block (6 units) would I expect them to visit other residences as well? If I can't see anything wrong around my apartment, should I be contacting strata to investigate? Re: Drain Flies. 4Apr 08, 2014 9:07 pm So, I haven't looked at it for a while but I checked the gully trap tonite and it stinks and has a lot a gunk in it with some drain flies as well, I can also see the pipes that come in and leave the trap, I thought the water level should come up above that? Any tips on where to next? I figure I should contact strata and have them organise a plumber, as this doesn't seem like my problem. Yeah mine about 9 metres long and 8 wide with slope of 25% at one point but the end point of the outlet is past the side of garage and if he concretes allowing for… 4 4535 Agreed. I just found out today the certifier has not given the final sign off. 2 4090 Grab a hose, insert it at the top of the inlet/down pipe and turn the water on and see where the water is escaping from. Then you'll know. 3 8465 |